Page 82 of If the Stars Align
I put my wine on the coffee table. “I’m not here to cry on your shoulder, Jeremy. I’m done with that. But I do want to explain why I haven’t kissed you yet. Even though Ireallywant to.”
His eyes soften, but he’s tight-lipped. He only nods.
I look down at my lap. “When Dex and I broke up, he asked me if I was…um, sleeping with you. He felt threatened by our relationship, even though he had nothing to worry about then. I honestly didn’t see you as more than a friend at the time. But…I do now.”
I glance over at Jeremy, who’s got his elbows propped on his knees and his hands clasped together. He’s looking down at the floor, just listening to me.
“In the past couple of months, you and I have gotten a lot closer,” I continue. “We spend almost all our free time together. We do everything that couples do, except…well, you know.” I take another sip of wine before I go on.
“I’m attracted to you, Jeremy. I didn’t let myself act on it before, because I didn’t want to hurt Dex.” I sigh. “But I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
Jeremy gives me a sideways glance. Then, after several seconds, he micro-smiles. “You want to know why Anjali slept with thecardiologist?” He sits back against the couch cushions and turns to me. “She was pissed at me—because she found out I had feelings for you.”
My heart flutters. “Oh,” I say, biting my lip. “How’d she find out?”
Jeremy drags a hand down his face. “I made an asinine request one night, when I was drunk.” He looks down at the floor again. “I, um, suggested we invite you to join us. In bed.” He looks back up at me. “I mean, maybe she didn’t know I hadfeelingsfor you. But she definitely knew I wanted to sleep with you.”
I lift my wine glass to my lips, my cheeks blazing hot. “Smooth,” I tease before taking a sip. “But for the record…I’m not into that.”
Jeremy laughs. “Noted.”
I smile as I swirl my remaining Riesling. I feel bad for Anjali…but I can’t say I’m not also flattered.
I put my glass back down. “You wanted me, even back then? That was…eight months ago.”
Jeremy doesn’t shy away from my gaze. “Sunny, I’ve wanted youa lotlonger than that,” he says as he reaches to put a hand on my knee. He traces slow circles on me with his thumb. “I knew I’d have to wait. But, I also knew it’d be worth it.”
That’s when our lips meet. Finally.
Me and Jeremy.
I can’t believe what an amazing kisser he is. His lips are so soft, and his tongue expertly flirts with mine, and his hands are in my hair, and he smells really good, and before I know it, he’s pulling me onto his lap to straddle him.
My brain feels warm and fizzy from the wine, but in the best way possible. I’m relaxed enough not to feel self-conscious, but also astutely aware of how incredible Jeremy’s hands feel on my body.
He’s wanted me for so long, and I sense it when he pulls me closer with every kiss and grips me with his fingers, kneading the flesh beneath my jeans.
Jeremy doesn’t likeanyone, but he likes me. He might even love me. He’s waited for me all this time.
I can’t believe it took me so long to realize how much I want this.
“This isn’t just a rebound for me,” I tell him while he’s kissing my neck. “I think…we could be really good together.”
Jeremy peels his lips off my skin and smiles with his eyes. “I’m notat allworried about being your rebound, Sunny,” he says in the gratuitously smug way that only he can pull off and sound sexy.
I bite the smile emerging on my lips. “Is that so?”
“Yeah.” He wraps his arms tight around me. “Because once I fuck you…you’re not going to want anyone else.”
With that said, Jeremy lifts me off the couch and carries me to his room, where he throws me onto the bed. Now I’m lying in the same spot where I’ve fallen asleep several times, wondering what it would be like if he took off my clothes—and it’s actually happening. He pulls my jeans off first, then my underwear. He unwraps my sweater, then unhooks my bra. He flings my clothes off his bed, and they land in a heap on the floor. I’m naked now, and he’s still fully clothed. Kneeling between my legs, he looks—and only looks—at every inch of my body, his eyes traveling slowly from my lips, to my breasts, to my navel,to the curve of my waist and hips. His breath is heavy, and my heart is hammering when he settles his gaze back on mine.
Then he pulls off his white crew-neck, and I see him shirtless for the first time. He’s lean, but more muscular than I imagined. What surprises me more, though, is that he has several tattoos on his chest, from the top of his left pec to his right ribcage.
“I didn’t know you had ink,” I say with a smile.
Jeremy looks down to undo his belt. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me yet,” he says before he leans over me, and we start kissing again. He’s running one hand through my hair, while the other finds its way between my thighs. His fingers slide inside me easily.
“Are you on the pill?” he asks.
